Biathlon Rifle Range Terminology


This page was last updated 30 September 98 - Under Construction


The following are a number of terms that may be heard on a biathlon firing range:


"Cease Fire!" - Stop shooting and clear your rifle immediately. Can be given by anyone who sees an unsafe situation


Clear Rifle - Bolt open, no round in chamber, remove magazine/clip


Down Range - Area in front of the firing line in the direction of the targets


Firing Line - Area designated to shoot from with numbered positions. No one goes forward of the firing line unless the Cease Fire! command is given first.


Firing point - A numbered position on the firing line from which a competitor shoots at the correspondingly numbered target.


Fortner Action - A type of rifle action made by Anshutz that operates by pulling the bolt lever directly to the rear and pushing it forward, requiring no rotation.


Prone - Shooting position lying down


Shot group - Area on the target where a number of shots hit


Shoot clean - Hit all targets (e.g. no penalty)


Standing - Shooting position standing up (Also referred to as Offhand)


Target line - Area where targets are set up


Wind Flag - Small flags made of lightweight material, placed between the firing line and target line to help the competitor determine the speed and direction of the wind.


Zero - Sight setting which produces center hits on the target



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